WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) announced an $804,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for CHAS Health to enhance telehealth services. According to the FCC announcement, the “Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) was awarded $804,641 for remote monitoring equipment, telemedicine carts, laptop computers, videoconferencing equipment, and network upgrades to treat COVID-19 positive patients who do not require hospitalization with telehealth, to provide the full spectrum of primary care services for patients who are following the stay at home order, and to care for patients in need of chronic disease management, urgent care services, and mental health and substance use disorder counseling.”

 

Yesterday, McMorris Rodgers also sent a letter to the FCC asking the agency to finalize rules for TV White Spaces, which can be used to continue to build out broadband capabilities in rural areas like Eastern Washington.

 

“During this uncertain time, we all have to adapt to continue to serve our communities. This grant is fantastic news and will allow CHAS Health to expand their telehealth services so they can serve patients remotely,” said McMorris Rodgers. “However, in order to access these services, people need to be connected. That’s why I sent a letter to continue to support the build-out of rural broadband in areas like Eastern Washington so we can close the digital divide.” 

 

In the letter, Cathy and her colleagues say, “The work the Commission has done, including the Keep Americans Connected pledge and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, are important steps to address the need for connectivity as people are now required to learn, work, and access healthcare remotely. In addition to these efforts, we urge you to continue the important, ongoing work to close the digital divide through all means available, including by finalizing rules to enable the nationwide use of television white spaces (TVWS).” 

 

 

 

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